March 2024 132
The Spread of ‘Nuisance’ Beer Bikes Ban from Europe to UK Cities
Beer bikes banned from European party capitals for being a nuisance are spreading to cities across the UK.
The oversized bikes have been a stag party staple on the Continent for decades but the nuisance they caused on public roads led to them being banned from the centres of Amsterdam, Prague, Budapest, Munich and Düsseldorf.
Despite their chequered past in Europe, the pedal-powered pubs-on-wheels are popping up in cities across the UK, with services launching in Bristol, Birmingham and Edinburgh in recent weeks.
Seating up to 17 drinkers per bike, pedalling customers pay £450 to drink as many beers as they want while a sober driver steers them through the city streets for an hour.
Thanos Koufis, operations manager for Beer Travel UK, said the
Tragic Incident: BMW Driver Consumes Almost 10 Litres of Rum, Resulting in Death of 77-year-old Man
A drunk BMW driver struck and killed a 77-year-old man after consuming nearly 10 litres of rum during a four-day spree.
Tom Ferguson was a guest at the Premier Inn hotel in Stockport, Manchester, where personnel requested him to depart due to his intoxicated state.
Nine empty Captain Morgan’s rum bottles were located by hotel employees in his room, and a half-empty bottle was found on him at the time of his arrest.
CCTV footage shows 29-year-old Ferguson struggle to get into his white BMW 1 Series before driving off.
Just moments later, while Robert Palmer and his spouse were headed back to their vehicle after an appointment at the hospital, an incident occurred. Ferguson, who suddenly mounted the pavement, impacted the dear husband.
Ferguson, who does not possess a permanent address, received a prison sentence for 12 years at Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday, which was the 8th of March.
Juliet’s Founder Discusses Women in Wine Industry and Her Preferred Takeout Pairings
Juliet wines have been around for a few years now and they’ve become known as the upscale version of boxed wine. I tried their Pinot Noir and rosé for the first time recently and was pleasantly surprised by the high quality of these California wines. The beautiful, eco-friendly containers were a hit at the party I brought them to, and they were extremely portable.
JULIET CO-FOUNDERS ALLISON LUVERA AND LAUREN DE NIRO PIPHER
The female owned and operated brand recently introduced two new pours — Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s also a Sauvignon Blanc and a limited-edition orange wine to choose from. In honor of International Women’s Month, Juliet is offering 10 percent off sitewide with the code Womens10. I spoke to co-founder of Juliet, Allison Luvera about Juliet’s role in the realm of women in wine, changing the stereotype of boxed wine and her favorite sip from their current lineup.
“Juliet is owned and operated by women, so it was a natural choice for us to create a brand and products that resonate with the unique needs of the female consumer,” says Luvera. “We are very intentional about aligning ourselves with values we know women care about and strive to create products that are uncompromising. We never want women to choose between quality wine, beautiful design, or sustainability — with Juliet they can have it all.”
Luvera expresses her excitement about being a part of the wine industry during a promising period for women in the field.
“The current period is arguably the best time to be a woman involved in the wine industry,” she posits. “Each year brings increased representation in all areas of the sector, from the roles of winemakers and founders to senior positions at supply and retail companies. What’s truly fascinating is that the ascent of women to powerful roles leads to a more diverse range of products on the market that appeal to female customers.”
Juliet feels right at home at dinner parties, picnics, or even when paired with takeaway food.
Regarding reshaping public perception of boxed wines, many change their views when they sight the stylish containers capable of holding two bottles’ worth and taste these Central Coast of California wines.
“Juliet has elevated the boxed wine experience for women,” Luvera says. “Our products erase the negative stigma against the format and make it the everyday luxury or moment of indulgence that women want and deserve. Whether enjoying a glass alone at home or sharing with friends at the beach or park, Juliet empowers women to embrace this sustainable and convenient format with pride.”
So how does Luvera like to pair her Juliet wine? While it could hold a place at a fancy dinner party, right now she’s enjoying it with take-out.
“The Juliet 2022 Chardonnay pairs incredibly well with spicy ethnic cuisines like Thai and Vietnamese,” she says. “It has a bright acidity that stands up to bold flavors, and the citrus and tropical aromas complement the spice in a really satisfying way. This pairing has definitely elevated my weekday takeout food routine!”
Mastering the Black Manhattan: A Unique Spin on the Classic Whiskey Cocktail
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The Black Manhattan is like a Manhattan, but more. It amplifies the vigor of a standard Manhattan cocktail—not exactly a timid creation—and supercharges it. If a regular Manhattan is a melody played on a piano, then a Black Manhattan is that melody but on a pipe organ—required for its ample, resonating chords of flavor that cover every available space.
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Most Manhattan variations follow a simple template: You take the standard recipe for the Manhattan (2 oz. whiskey, 1 oz. sweet vermouth, 2 dashes bitters), and reduce the vermouth by half and accent it with a small pour of some other liqueur. There are lots of these: Use Cynar and it’s a Little Italy; Maraschino and it’s a Red Hook; Benedictine for a Fort Point; you can go on and on. The Black Manhattan does not follow this rule, because when Todd Smith thought up the cocktail in 2005, the rule hadn’t been invented yet.
Well, 2005 wasn’t that long ago, but in mixology terms, it’s practically a lifetime. All the templates and cocktail families and best practices that everyone now knows and takes for granted were, at the beginning of George W. Bush’s second term, still being formed. What this means for the Black Manhattan is not only that it is a Manhattan in which the sweet vermouth is not reduced but fully supplanted with an ounce of the Italian bittersweet liqueur, Averna (the aforementioned rule-breaking) but also, it means that the online recipes are kinda all over the place, because the conception of a Manhattan in 2005 was different to what it is today.
Todd Smith is celebrated in the cocktail world for his creation, the Black Manhattan. Smith’s invention came while he was employed at a San Francisco restaurant, Cortez. The cocktail began gaining substantial attention when Smith paved his way in the hospitality business and launched the well-known Bourbon & Branch. During the time of its inception, rye whiskey was not a typical ingredient used, as Smith quipped, indicating the sheer popularity of bourbon over rye.
The appeal of the Black Manhattan recipe comes from the unique mix, which featured homemade bitters, an often overlooked part of cocktail making. The signature drink was a blend of bourbon, Averna, and a touch of cherry coffee bitters made in-house. As tastes evolved, and rye whiskey saw a resurgence in popularity, the Black Manhattan recipe adapted too. The constant between these versions is the inclusion of Averna, but online recipes vary from the original. Some include bourbon or rye, and variations of bitters such as Angostura, orange, or sometimes both.
The beauty of the Black Manhattan is each version could stake a claim for the best due to the cocktail’s naturally robust flavor. After taste-testing every recipe available, it was challenging to settle on a preferred choice. Similar to the Revolver cocktail, also credited to Bourbon & Branch, the Black Manhattan is flexible and can withstand variations. Its success and longevity can be attributed to the seamless blending of Averna, tasting richer and fuller than the sweet vermouth typically used in a Manhattan, yet still working harmoniously within the recipe. The Black Manhattan retains the beloved original flavors, but with an increased coffee, cocoa, and cola hint.
An example of a prominent recipe includes 2 oz. of rye whiskey.
1 oz. sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir for 10 to 15 seconds (on small ice) or 20 to 30 seconds (on big ice). Strain up into a coupe or cocktail glass, and garnish with a cherry.
NOTES ON INGREDIENTS
Whiskey: This is a remarkable choice regardless of the kind. It works superbly with both Kentucky-style ryes and Canadian-style ryes. Moreover, it pairs exceptionally well with bourbon. My recent experience with Bulleit Whiskey’s new American Single Malt was splendid, featuring vibrant fruit undertones and enticing spice. However, I am still partial to a good rye. When it comes to choosing the style, I am at a deadlock. A higher proof Kentucky rye like Rittenhouse or Wild Turkey 101 results in a robust cocktail that can balance the depth of the Averna. If you opt for an all or mostly rye bottle like Dickel Rye or Redemption, the resulting herbaceousness and spice from the grains are charming. There is no right or wrong choice; just follow your preference.
Averna: This is a type of “amaro”, an Italian liqueur that is both bitter and sweet in taste. It is typically consumed either as an aperitivo, to stimulate the appetite, or a digestivo, for aiding in digestion, based on the alcohol volume. Among the many hundreds of amari brands, Averna remains a top-tier choice. This digestif, which has an alcohol volume of 29 percent, has been produced in Sicily since 1868 and is a requisite for a Black Manhattan.
Allow me to clarify: While some Black Manhattan recipes may suggest using other amari, this would alter the true nature of the cocktail. It’s feasible to partly replace the vermouth with a different amaro, but only Averna has proven successful as a complete substitute for vermouth in my experience.
The amount of Averna utilised depends on your choice of whiskey. For a potent rye whiskey, stick with the indicated full ounce. However, if you opt for a bourbon (which tends to have a sweeter profile than rye) or a rye with a proof of 90 or lower, you may want to reduce the Averna to 0.75 oz., or even down to a 0.5 oz. based on your taste preference.
Bitters: It’s a mystery to me how orange bitters found their place in this beverage. Not that its bad, but it doesn’t enhance the drink either. I believe a few dashes of Angostura is all you need.
In contrast, when Smith departed from Bourbon & Branch, the team substituted his unique cherry coffee bitters with Fee Brothers Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Bitters as soon as their stock depleted. This change accentuated the flavors of baking spice in the drink. I, personally, haven’t had the chance to verify this yet. However, an old Bourbon & Branch bartender swears by this method and claims it’s the ideal way to make this drink. Therefore, consider his opinion for its worth.
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Proposed Halt on Planned Beer Tax Increase in Canada
A package of beer cans moves along a conveyor at the Waterloo Brewing brewery in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Canada’s finance minister announced tax relief aimed at the country’s small breweries ahead of a deadline that would have seen certain duties on domestic beer, wine and spirits more than double.
The government is proposing to cap an inflation adjustment for excise taxes charged on domestically produced beer, spirits and wine at 2% for the next two years, Chrystia Freeland said in a statement Saturday, extending a similar limit implemented last year. It was previously set to increase to 4.7% as of April 1.
Join the Winter Warm Up Event by Traverse City Whiskey Co. this Saturday
TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City Whiskey Co. is hosting their family-friendly Winter Warm Up event on Saturday afternoon.
It’s free to attend, with outdoor yard games and live music. There will also be food and drinks available for purchase, and even an exclusive opportunity to taste some of their award-winning whiskeys.
“It’s so important to us, especially in the off season, to create an environment to bring people together. That’s why whiskey is such a magical spirit. And we’re also excited tomorrow to debut some fun spirits that have been hiding in our Rick House, which is our barrel warehouse, for years. We’re going to be debuting them as a bit of a teaser to anybody who comes,” said Chris Fredrickson, owner and co-founder.
The event is from 1 to 5 p.m., and an ID is required for tastings.
Comedy Duo Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura Introduce New Por Osos Vodka
Comedians and podcasters Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura are jumping into the spirits game with a new vodka brand.
The duo, who co-host the hit comedy podcast 2 Bears, 1 Cave, have partnered with venture studio Drip MFG to launch their own vodka brand, Por Osos. While the pair are known for their jokes, they’re taking this new venture quite seriously.
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“We were very much fingers in the pie on every aspect,” Kreischer tells The Hollywood Reporter. “From the bottle cap, down to the kind of bear image. I mean, we really, really had our fingers in this.”
The pair note that they had been approached many times before to create something in the liquor space. They waffled between a few types of liquor before settling on vodka. Kreischer feels that vodka is a “natural fit,” while Segura notes that there “hasn’t been anybody disruptive in the vodka space.”
Por Osos has joined forces with Mexcor Distribution to expand the vodka’s reach to consumers. The product is primarily being launched in Texas, with future plans to expand to Florida, California, and Nevada. Alongside vodka, Kreischer and Segura have also launched a merchandise line for the company, which is available on their website.
Por Osos is also planning to release a new commercial, which the company has provided a sneak peek to THR. The commercial features the co-hosts of 2 Bears, 1 Cave, enjoying their new vodka, while Segura quizzes Kreischer about his knowledge on Segura’s middle name.
Before the official launch party of the brand on March 5, Kreischer and Segura showcased their comedy and their new vodka in Las Vegas during the Super Bowl weekend. They performed at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on the eve of the game, attracting guests such as Grammy-nominated singer Jelly Roll, upcoming Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel, and Jason Kelce.
Both Kreischer and Segura specifically expressed their excitement about one guest: Guy Fieri. Kreischer shares that Fieri expressed his admiration for the vodka. Kreischer acknowledges Fieri as a legend and Segura comments on Fieri’s infectious enthusiasm and positive reaction to their product.
Kreischer and Segura are currently occupied with numerous projects, with Segura being the owner of Your Mom’s House Studios – a podcasting company. Their respective websites are brimming with planned stand-up tours. “We are certainly leading busy lives but we are not complaining,” says Segura, “We are truly fortunate.”
In Segura’s opinion, by the time a year elapses, their goal is to be accessible nationwide or near-nationwide with their project Por Osos. He adds that the speed at which they are progressing feels appropriate.
“The response has been very promising. The demand in Texas is high. So, we’re just progressing one step at a time,” mentions Segura.
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Discovering the Limited Edition Eclipse-Themed Wine: Where to Purchase for Your Unique Darkness-themed Event
Cheers with wine glasses of couple in a beautiful sunset and lens flare on beach background
We now know, down to the second, when, where, and for how long a total solar eclipse will occur hundreds of years into the future. How ancient people—including those who saw the first recorded such event on November 30, 3340 BC, in Ireland—would have reacted is unknown, but it’s likely that they behaved like many eclipse chasers still do today and had a stiff drink.
“Wine may have been used as much to numb the populace from fear that the world was about to end, as it was to appease the unhappy heavenly powers,” said Joseph Daniel, an eclipse chaser and winemaker at Tiny Vineyards Wine Company in Sonoma, California, who has produced a commemorative $40 “Eclipse Malbec” for April’s 8 return to North America of the moon’s central shadow. “But that doesn’t mean a little salute to those solar deities of mythology isn’t a wise move.”
Daniel—a veteran of five total solar eclipses—isn’t the only one trying to tap into the market for commemorative bottles of wine, either to drink while watching the eclipse or to buy as a keepsake.
The owner of Tiny Vineyards Wine Company in Sonoma, California, with an avid interest in eclipses, has crafted a $40 “Eclipse Malbec” to celebrate the total solar eclipse on April 8.
Vineyards across Texas, New York, Ontario, and Canada are planning numerous events, with many featuring eclipse-themed wine bottles. For instance, Pillar Bluff Vineyards in Lampasas, Texas, is organizing an event priced at $500, which includes a bottle of “Cabernet Sauvignon Total Eclipse” wine, a BBQ dinner, and space for your RV. Similarly, William Chris Vineyards is hosting an equivalent event for $375 in Hye, Texas, featuring country music and “Eclipse” wine.
About 1,500 miles north, Heron Hill Winery on Keuka Lake, New York, located just outside the southern limit of the path of totality, is selling “Eclipse Red,” “Eclipse White,” and “Eclipse Rosé” for $18.50 each. Further in northeast Ohio, Ferrante Winery, which lies directly on the path of totality, is selling its unique “Eclipse” table wine for $20.24. The winery is part of a dozen vineyards in the region participating in the special “Total Eclipse Wine Trail” event, priced at $70 from April 5-7. Attendees will find intriguing items such as “Corona Chicken Sliders,” “Moonshine-Roasted Mushrooms,” and “Total Eclipse of the Cheesecake Tart” on their journey.
In recent times, total solar eclipses worldwide have sparked a trend of specially crafted wines and spirits, including eclipse-themed Pisco in Chile and Malbec in Argentina. Daniel, inspired by the latter and planning to be in Texas this April, crafted a wine for the forthcoming eclipse. “I saw the enthusiasm for wines made for the ‘Great American Eclipse’ in 2017, especially in Oregon, and the 2019 eclipse in Argentina and Chile, which inspired me to create a unique wine for the upcoming event,” he said.
Daniel witnessed 2019’s total solar eclipse close to Mendoza, the epicenter of Malbec, where he spent time visiting several of the top wineries. His own version of the “black wine” is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. What catches the eye immediately is the label—a beautiful composite image of an actual total solar eclipse, as shot by Daniel from Bella Vista, Argentina. “It was a crazy scene with loud tango music and venders selling asado—Argentine barbecue—and cups of wine,” he said.
Having a bottle of wine to commemorate a solar eclipse will, to many prospective observers, seem crazy. Isn’t that something you do at your own wedding? What’s to commemorate? The 42 million-plus who live within—or travel to—the 115 miles wide path of totality on April 8 will find out when they experience a moment they will want to remember for the rest of their life.
Clear skies allowing, of course.
For the latest on the total solar eclipse—including travel and lodging options—check my page for new articles daily.
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Understanding Beer Quantities: How Many Pints are in a Standard Keg?
In the realm of beer, kegs bridge the gap between brewers, ranging from large scale breweries to those brewing in their basements, and beer enthusiasts. Beer kegs are of various shapes and sizes, from smaller ones, such as the Heineken mini keg perfect for a friends’ gathering, to quarter-barrel kegs often seen at college parties. They can be rented for different occasions and filled with beverages like soda and cider, not just beer.
Industry standard or full kegs are widely used for storing, transporting and dispensing beer at bars, restaurants,and various events. If you have wondered about the capacity of a standard keg, it holds about 124 pints, which is quite a large amount.
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A standard keg, often referred to as a half-barrel, is one of the largest kegs available. A reliable keg supplier should be able to tell you how many beers you can actually fetch from a keg. To put it into a relatable context, it equals approximately 165 12-ounce bottles of beer or around 27 six-packs. However, unless you are managing a college fraternity or a catering service, you may not really require one of these larger kegs.
A few kegs offer more manageable capacities, with differing shapes such as the quarter barrel keg and the slim quarter keg. The former is short and sturdy, the latter tall and slender. Both types are suitable for small to medium-sized gatherings, each accommodating 62 pints, a reasonable quantity of beer for a group. For smaller social events, a mini keg, also referred to as a bubba keg, could be the better choice. These contain ten pints, making them ideal for a small dinner or barbecue with a few friends.
You can read the original article on Daily Meal.
Demystifying Southern Comfort: Is it a Type of Whiskey?
Adored by some and reviled by others, Southern Comfort is a drink known to divide opinion. Some know it best as Janis Joplin’s signature stage companion; to others, it’s something you had in college once or twice and probably shouldn’t have. But before judging the sweet, brown booze, let’s get one thing straight: it’s whiskey, right?
The answer to that isn’t exactly simple. For one thing, the recipe has changed dramatically several times since the drink’s inception in the late 1800s, and today, Southern Comfort has multiple products on shelves, all with different specifications that affect how they’re legally classified. Bottles labeled “Southern Comfort Original” can contain a diverse range of beverages depending on the jurisdiction in which it’s being sold, including 30-proof and 42-proof malt liquors and a 70-proof whiskey-based drink. What all of these versions have in common, however, is that technically, none of them are whiskey.
Under U.S. law, for a spirit to be categorized as whiskey, it needs to be bottled at no less than 40% alcohol by volume, or 80 proof (in the U.S., “proof” refers to the ABV times two). So technically, only Southern Comfort Black and Southern Comfort 100, which are 80 and 100 proof, respectively, are actually whiskey. The other versions are either malt beverages or whiskey liqueurs. And if you haven’t had SoCo recently, you may not have tried any of them.
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Regardless of the type of Southern Comfort you’ve experienced, they all blend whiskey, fruit, and spice flavors together. However, the similarities stop there. The 30 and 42-proof Southern Comfort, being malt liquors, are not spirits. Legally, they fall under the category of beer and other malt beverages, similar to Mike’s Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff Ice. Hence, you can purchase them in places without full liquor licenses. The amount of real whiskey in them is minimal, if any, for flavoring purposes.
In contrast, the 70-proof SoCo is made using actual whiskey. But since the Alcohol By Volume (ABV) standard for whiskey is not met, it’s technically considered a whiskey-based liqueur, not whiskey itself, akin to Fireball. Southern Comfort Black and 100 are counted as proper blended whiskeys that have additional flavorings.
This classification only applies to the SoCo versions available in the U.S. Some of the brand’s products, including a 60-proof version and a few ready-to-drink cocktails, are solely available in other countries. Regardless of your location, always check the label to determine the version you are consuming. There is a stark contrast between a 15% ABV malt beverage and a 50% ABV flavor-infused spirit.
If you haven’t had Southern Comfort since before 2016, you might not remember its distinct taste. The original formulation was created in 1874 by a New Orleans bartender named Martin Wilkes Heron. He mixed low-quality Kentucky bourbon with fruit and spices to enhance its flavor. However, Heron passed away in 1920. After prohibition ceased, the brand was relaunched under new ownership. The new owners decided to forego whiskey, opting for less expensive neutral grain spirits, such as vodka. As a result, for a significant portion of its history, this illustrious Southern beverage contained no whiskey.
But in 2016, SoCo was purchased by Sazerac, another historic alcohol brand with New Orleans roots, and the SoCo known for most of the 20th century was no more. The new ownership reformulated the flavored booze, again making real whiskey the base of the 70-proof SoCo Original and later introducing the boozier Black and 100 versions. So if it’s been a minute since you’ve mixed up an Alabama Slammer, it’s worth another go. Try it with the 70, 80, and 100-proof versions to see which strikes your perfect balance between fruity sweetness and a boozy kick.
Read the original article on Daily Meal.